The Spring Like most educators, I was stressed about what the school year would look like this fall. I think the spring was a trauma for most educators that none of us wants to be replayed this year. I felt no matter what I did in the spring, nothing measured up to the standards I had as a special educator in my high school Life Skills classroom. I spent hours a... READ MORE >
We’ve heard it repeatedly: this school year will be nothing like we’ve ever experienced. Districts and teachers are creatively finding solutions to the barriers they encounter to distance learning, blended schedules, and virtual student engagement. These twelve Google extensions will help educators save time, deliver their lessons, and ensure students learn no... READ MORE >
This spring and summer are unlike any other. Staying at home during a pandemic impacted many educators as we juggled working from home with other demands. Many of us were/are stressed and emotionally challenged as we care for our students, families, and friends. The recent events of Black Lives Matter also impact our lives. In the near future, ROE SchoolWorks... READ MORE >
Visit the following link for e-learning and learn-at-home resources for educators and families: http://bit.ly/LearnAtHome2020 READ MORE >
I dropped my son off for his first day of first grade last week and felt lots of emotions. I thought this year would be easier; after all, he’s done it before. I cried. Becoming a parent showed me a different perspective of being a teacher. Before I had children, I saw my students every day, a class of 25 or so teen boys and girls. They were still children... READ MORE >
Last August, my boss and I traveled across East Central Illinois visiting rural school districts, pitching the idea of instructional coaching to district administrators. We explained the philosophy behind coaching and the logistics of a by-contract coaching program. The heads across the table nodded as we spoke, and occasionally they asked questions, the most... READ MORE >
I sat with my kindergartner as he practiced writing his sight words. “Ugh!” He said, exasperated, “I messed up. I’m not very good at this.” He was in his second month of school and was struggling to form the letters perfectly, as his teacher’s example showed. I explained to him that this is just the process of learning: we attempt something, we notice the flaws,... READ MORE >
I was reading through e-mails this morning and came across one from Jennifer Abrams. She is a new teacher coach, and she blogs about communication, particularly among professionals in school settings. (If you don’t subscribe to her blog posts, I recommend it.) In her most recent post, “Thanks for Nothing,” Abrams wrote about seeing the value in failure and... READ MORE >
I was at a local coffee shop over the summer with my family, and while we waited on our meal, I looked over their bulletin board. Lost dog posters and service flyers populated the wall. As I perused, I noticed a pull-tab service flyer for a life coach. It advertised one-on-one sessions to improve self-confidence, assertiveness, and organization. You can find a... READ MORE >